What's On Your Mind?

I took a select panel of totally random folks and threw various questions at them. Among the respondents:

• Jon Regardie, Executive Editor, Los Angeles Downtown News, Resident of Los Angeles
• Jennifer, 35, a research assistant at UCLA, Long Beach
• David Markland, Blogger KNBC's "California Faultline"
• Anonymous female, 33, a travel industry professional from Los Angeles
• Wally "Rita from Sunland" Wharton, writer/minstrel/talkradio guest/gadfly, Sunland
• Alvin Abris, 38, a bank manager from San Dimas
• Jack Witt, 40, Lifestyle Fitness Coach, North Hollywood

Let's take a look at their answers shall we?

What are you up to this weekend?

Jon Regardie: "Play some basketball, speak on a panel for journalism students, dinner with friends, watch some Final Four, spend time with my wife and baby daughter. Not necessarily in that order."

Jennifer: "I will be attending an awards dinner and a friend's 35th birthday party."

David Markland: "Saturday night is a benefit for Vampira, aka Maila Nurma, to raise money to make a proper memorial for her. The event is at the Steve Allen Theatre, and looks like a blast."

Anonymous female: "Attending a recognition banquet for outstanding young adults in the state, also relaxing and getting some errands taken care of."

Wally "Rita from Sunland" Wharton: "Sauturday morning -- I'm hell-bent upon scouring the Estate sales! Nothing quite thrills me like going thru the underwear drawers of 'the Greatest Generation!' Then maybe I'll weigh in on our local Neighborhood Council election. Evening? I'm going to a porn party."

Alvin Abris: "Nothing special, just finishing up some house chores."

Jack Witt: "I am being honored as an Outstanding Young Californian at the Universal City Hilton by the California Junior Chamber. www.oyc2008.com."

What do you think the single most pressing issue or problem (any kind) facing Los Angeles next week will be?

Jon Regardie: "The clash over DWP hikes will fade from the public and media mindset quickly, and many may focus on crime and gang violence (despite reports last week of a falling violent crime rate). But expect a flurry of activity/ concern/ talk/ complaints as gas prices keep creeping up."

Jennifer: "I think we need to focus on the homeless problem in LA. There are lots of folks here in Westwood (LA County) and downtown LA and many of them need help with some of their medical conditions. I see them walking around screaming at themselves all the time. This concerns the do-gooder deep inside of me."

David Markland: "Next week I hope that the city launches an investigation into who, if anyone from the Department of Building and Safety tipped off Clear Channel and CBS that the LA Weekly was seeking a list of permits for billboards, and what the rat stood to profit from it. I'd also hope that someone in council, or the department, will issue a public statement apologizing for the action and offer to be transparent in the future."

Anonymous female: "No idea really, how about another airline shutting down and leaving passengers stranded."

Wally "Rita from Sunland" Wharton: "The most pressing issue next week? The water rate hike. No wonder the 'clowncil' called for a moratorium on violence-- they know they're votin' for the hike!"

Alvin Abris: "Illegal immigration."

Jack Witt: "Foreclosures and credit card debt impacting the local economy."

What music is on your iPod/telephone/8 track tape deck right now?

Jon Regardie: The car six-pack CD player has the Pixies, PJ Harvey, Deus, Nine Pound Hammer, Kings of Leon and the New Pornographers.

Jennifer: "I love 80’s music and rock baby!"

David Markland: "I'm currently listening to Kari Newhouse right now."

Anonymous female: "Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol."

Wally "Rita from Sunland" Wharton: "I'm in between the iPOD and the 8-track-- what's on the Jag's CD cartridge? Leroy Anderson's Greatest Hits, Alicia DeLaRocca's Spanish Encores, (I like to practice my castenets while I'm driving), De Barge's greatest Hits, the Darkness' 1st album, & a collection of Kurt Weil songs."

Alvin Abris: "Country music, podcasts of Bill Handel and Leo Laporte and Barack Obama’s latest speech."

Jack Witt: "Hard Rock/Heavy Metal. Recently, I won a contest to sing on stage with my favorite band "Queensryche" at the House of Blues in Hollywood. Go to YouTube and type "Jack Witt Queensryche" for the video of me rockin' out.

Do you feel that you may be squeezed soon by a) rising gas prices b) rising food prices c) rising government taxes and fees? All of the above?

Jon Regardie: "It’s frightening to think that I could spend more than the $60-$70 it already takes to fill my gas tank. Taken singly, any of the three above would be annoying. Cumulatively, well, no one wonder there are myriad economic problems."

Jennifer: "All of the above. I am presently being squeezed by the gas prices as I drive an SUV. Thanks for driving a truck! I will be squeezed by rising food prices and will probably resort to eating chicken hot dogs 24/7. I have to pay taxes, so there’s nothing more to say on that topic."

David Markland: "I fear we may be entering a second Great Depression, so rising gas and food prices should be the least of our worries."

Anonymous female: "Rising gas prices."

Wally "Rita from Sunland" Wharton: "I'm not so much squeezed by the gas prices-- I NEVER GO ANYWHERE!! But food prices, government taxes & fees may affect my 'peace of mind.'"

Alvin Abris: "I am already being squeezed by all of the above."

Jack Witt: "All of the above."

What should the Presidential candidates be saying right now that none of them are?

Jon Regardie: "The key in the question is “right now.” The idealist would say they should focus on the issues. Practically, however, two of them precisely have to say why they are the most awesome for Pennsylvanians. Like with the Final Four mentioned above, it’s win-or-go-home time."

Jennifer: "How about focus on what you can do for me?"

David Markland: "I'm one of the few people relatively confident in what the candidates are saying right now... except for Clinton - I've stopped listening. I'd like to stop hearing McCain trying to appeal to more conservatives and stick to his guns, and I'd love for Obama, my candidate, to start talking about policies and practical solutions."

Anonymous female: "I am following our local city council race, not really wrapped up in the presidential race right now."

Wally "Rita from Sunland" Wharton: "McCain should be commenting on his affair w/ Connie Stevens. And Obama should be publicly apologizing to his typical white grandmother by saying something like: 'She changed my diapers-- now I should be changing hers!!'"

Alvin Abris: "What are we doing with the northern borders?"

Jack Witt: "The obesity rate for kids has tripled in the past 20 years, it's time for the government to step in and help give incentives and pass laws to help parents, health professionals, and schools that provide resources to fix this epidemic before it's too late."